Every year in Poland, over 6 new people suffer from lymphoma, and what is more, the number of cases of this type of cancer is constantly increasing. However, cancer of the lymphatic system is not a sentence, and its early detection in many cases gives a chance for complete recovery. So how do you fight lymphoma?
Despite the increasing incidence of lymphoma, this type of cancer is still rarely discussed. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of cases of cancer of the lymphatic system increases by 4-5% every year. Moreover, they are one of the most common causes of death among all neoplastic diseases. Lymphoma cannot be prevented, but if diagnosed in time, it can be cured.
Lymphomas are cancerous diseases that arise from lymphocytes and result from a sequence of changes in genes and proteins in a cell. Tumors of the lymphatic system can be found in the lymph nodes, as well as in any other tissue and organ. There are many types of lymphoma, but two main groups can be distinguished: aggressive lymphomas and chronic lymphomas. Chronic lymphomas develop slowly and do not require treatment for a long time, but it is not possible to cure them permanently. Aggressive lymphomas, on the other hand, develop much faster and require immediate treatment, but can be cured permanently.
The first symptoms of this cancer are usually innocent and easy to mistake for flu or cold symptoms. The most common symptoms of the disease are: enlarged but painless lymph nodes, loss of weight in a short time, profuse sweating, high temperature for a long time, and coughing. “These symptoms do not always indicate lymphoma, but increased vigilance in this case is absolutely necessary. If symptoms persist for more than three weeks, you will need to see a doctor. It is extremely important not to ignore the symptoms and undergo tests early enough in order to eliminate the possibility of developing this cancer “- says Dr. med. Janusz Meder, President of the Polish Union of Oncology.
The causes of lymphomas in most cases are unknown, but specialists provide a number of mechanisms that may contribute to its occurrence, including: bacterial infections, ionizing radiation, viral infections, a diet rich in fats and nitrogen compounds, taking immunosuppressive drugs and disorders of immune regulation. Neither have any specific measures been identified that could prevent the formation of lymphomas. However, for preventive measures, regular physical activity is recommended, which has an impact on the proper functioning of the body and caring for the quality of water and food that is eaten. Proper early diagnosis is also of particular importance in the fight against neoplasms of the lymphatic system, so it is important not to ignore the symptoms that may signal this disease.
In order to increase public awareness of lymphoma and the importance of preventive examinations, the 7th edition of the Polish National Youth Program “Mam Haka na Raka” was launched in October. As part of it, youth from upper secondary schools conduct activities encouraging cancer prevention and design a social campaign that will appear in the media throughout Poland. Registration for the Program has already started and will last until December 19 this year. All students who want to take the challenge and face lymphoma can submit their teams on www.mamhakanaraka.pl.